ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signs MoU with UNDP for strategic partnership on Agriculture, Crop Insurance and Credit
The MoU will benefit small farmers: Narendra Singh Tomar
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare , Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme  have signed a Memorandum of Understanding  wherein UNDP will provide technical support towards Centre’s aspirational Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana  scheme & Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar by CEO-PMFBY Ritesh Chauhan and UNDP Resident Representative Shoko Noda. Under the MoU, UNDP will leverage its expertise in systems and global know-how for supporting the Ministry of Agriculture for the implementation of combined agriculture credit and crop insurance. Union Minister of Agriculture for State Shri Kailash Chaudhary and Secretary, Agriculture, Shri Manoj Ahuja also witnessed the signing ceremony.
While addressing the representatives from the respective organizations, The Union Minister said, “Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Agriculture Ministry is implementing the schemes with complete transparency in the interest of crores of farmers of the country. Direct benefit is being provided to all the farmers.”
Shri Tomar further added, "While the farmers paid Rs 21000 crore premium under PMFBY, they have received more than Rs 1.15 lakh crore as compensation. This shows that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is working in the interest of the entire farming community. Similarly, in the Kisan Credit Card Scheme, massive efforts are being made to give benefits to the farmers who could not take benefit of the scheme earlier. Efforts are being made to reach out to all small farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen."
KCC-MISS and PMFBY were launched with the aim to tackle the problematic areas of previous Schemes and to map out a structure that affords better implementation options for all stakeholders while achieving the desired results. To that effect, several new provisions have been incorporated in the Schemes. One of the biggest features of the current schemes is that they apply uniformly across the entire country and have a provision to cover all crops.
As per the MoU, UNDP will provide responsive, demand-driven technical assistance for effective implementation of agriculture credit and crop insurance, as well as providing capacity development and Information, Education & Communication  support to existing national and state institutions, keeping in mind the interest of small and marginal farmers, women farmers, sharecroppers, tenant and non-loanee farmers.
On this strategic partnership with UNDP, Sh.Tomar said, "Technical assistance provided by UNDP in the last 4 years has yielded good results. I am sure that through this partnership, we will obtain even better results in implementation of crop insurance and agricultural credit schemes."
Ministry of Science & Technology
Scalable synthesis method developed of Nano-crystals with bright emission colours useful for LED
Indian researchers have developed a method that can help large scale synthesis of a special class of semiconductor nanocrystals. These nanocrystals called two-dimensional layered perovskite and perovskite nanocrystals, which have bright emission colours and are not affected by or corroded by the environment, are useful for both high colour purity and low-cost solution processability.
Nanomaterials have unique properties compared to their bulk counterpart as they exhibit bright emission and are useful for light-emitting diodes  apart from several other applications in our day-to-day life. However, large-scale syntheses of such materials are challenging as the reaction mechanism, and kinetics of large-scale syntheses are often different from small-scale syntheses. Such large scale synthesis methods are necessary for industrial applications.
To this end, a group of researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences , an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology , have synthesized two-dimensional layered perovskite and perovskite nanocrystals by a method called sonochemical process that is often used for large scale synthesis. This process utilizes the principles of sonochemistry to make molecules undergo a chemical reaction with the application of powerful ultrasound radiation. This work has been published in the ‘Journal of Physical Chemistry C’.
The team tracked how these nanomaterials grow during the reaction. They controlled reaction parameters, such as time and temperature, to tune the dimensionality of these nanomaterials and their emission colours. The researchers showed that at an early stage of reaction, two-dimensional layered perovskites form, and they get converted to perovskite nanocrystals controllably. They also demonstrated a white-light-emitting diode with the mixture of these perovskites. Further works are in progress by the CeNS team to increase the stability of these nanomaterials.
Publication link: DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c02227
For more details, Dr Pralay K. Santra can be contacted at .
Special Service and Features
International Seminar on Patent Cooperation Treaty ICAR-CTCRI March 3
Thiruvananthapuram 01 March 2023
An International Seminar on Patent Cooperation Treaty  will be held on 3rd March 2023 at the Central Tuber Crops Resarch Institute  , Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram. This is one of the three PCT Roving Seminars in India to promote the awareness in respect of protecting the intellectual property and innovations globally through Patent Cooperation Treaty. It is being organised by the Indian Patent Office  in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization .
The Patent Cooperation Treaty assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions. The PCT makes it easier and more cost-effective for companies and inventors to seek patent protection for their inventions in multiple countries. A single international patent application under the PCT has legal effect in all of the countries bound by the Treaty.
Experts from WIPO & IP offices will present an overview of the PCT system and its advantages for the applicants, the Patent Offices, and the general public. The roving seminars will also be the occasion to help Indian users to create their accounts and to access the ePCT system and other patent tools, which allows users to file and manage their international applications online.
Ms. Lisa Jorgenson, Deputy Director General, Patents and Technology Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization , Geneva and Ms. Christine Bonvallet, Director, PCT International, Cooperation Division, Patents and Technology Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization, , Geneva will address the participants. Dr.G.Byju, Director ,ICAR- CTCRI will deliver the Presidential address.
-ND-
(Visitor Counter : 28
Ministry of Communications
Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendra Patel and MoS Communications Shri Devusinh Chauhan award prizes to sportspersons in MP Sports Competition
Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of State for Communications & Member of Parliament from Kheda, Shri Devusinh Chauhan presented awards and prizes to sports persons at the finale of the MP Sports Competition 2023 today at the District Sports Complex in Nadiad, Gujarat. Both the dignitaries exhorted the youth to play constructive role in Nation building.
This year, the competition witnessed an exceptional turnout of approximately 9,500 participants from across Kheda Lok Sabha Constituency, making it one of the largest sporting events of its kind in India. Athletes participated in a wide variety of sports, including volleyball, kabaddi, road pulling, lemon spoon, kothra, running, and karate skating.
During this grand event, winning players were awarded medals and given words of encouragement by esteemed guests including MLAs of all legislative assemblies of Kheda Lok Sabha and other dignitaries.
In line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to foster an environment that draws the younger generation away from screens and towards the sports field, the MP Sports Competition, sponsored by Shri Devusinh Chauhan, has seen successfully conducted for the last two years in Kheda.
Furthermore, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Central India's Pledge Letter was recited at the venue, eliciting a widespread positive response. This effort to instill a sense of nationalism among players and spectators alike was appreciated by competition coordinators Shri Manojbhai Trivedi and Shri Priteshbhai Patel.
The Minister extend his heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister, all the participants, coordinators, and spectators for their valuable contributions in making the sporting event a remarkable success.
RKJ/DK
(Visitor Counter : 677
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Women Executives of Delhi Police to Wear Khadi Silk Sarees
Khadi’s acceptance in various government offices is quickly catching pace. The latest government agency to have adopted Khadi is the Delhi Police which is purchasing elegant Khadi Silk Sarees for its women front desk executives at its establishments.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission  has received a purchase order for 836 Khadi Silk sarees worth Rs 25 lakh from Delhi Police that will be supplied in less than two months. The dual-tone sarees will be made of high quality Tasar-Katia Silk. The sample of the saree was provided by Delhi Police which was accordingly developed by KVIC and approved by Delhi Police. The sarees will have a mix of natural colorTasar Silk and Katia Silk in pink color.
KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena said the latest purchase order from Delhi Police shows the growing popularity of Khadi which will go on to strengthen Khadi artisans. “Over the years Khadi has become a trendsetter. Khadi is handcrafted and so it is the most comfortable fabric. Not only common people particularly youngsters but various government bodies too have adopted Khadi. This is a big boost to our artisans spinning and weaving Khadi in remotest parts of the country,” Saxena said.
The Tasar-Katia Silk sarees for Delhi police are being prepared by traditional artisans in West Bengal. Tasar- Katia Silk is a dual-tone fabric made with a blend of Tussar and Katia silk. It is mostly woven by traditional artisans and is identified by its thick and heavy texture created by using two different threads of Tasar and Katia. Its rugged and rustic appearance but porous weave makes this fabric perfect to wear in all weather.
Earlier, KVIC entered into agreements with Indian Railways, Health Ministry, Indian Postal department, Air India and other government agencies for supplying Khadi products including bedsheets and uniforms. KVIC has been preparing uniforms for the crew members and staff of national carrier Air India. Khadi India has also designed and prepared uniforms for over 90,000 postmen/postwomen in the country which in now also available online.
PIB Headquarters
Recruitment to the post of Multi-Tasking  Staff in Different States and Union Territories 2016 to be held on 30.04.2017, 14.05.2017, 28.05.2017 & 04.06.2017
Staff Selection Commission will conduct recruitment to the post of Multi-Tasking  Staff in Different States and Union Territories 2016 on 30.04.2017, 14.05.2017, 28.05.2017 & 04.06.2017. In Southern Region, examination will be held at 14 Centres  viz. Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; Hyderabad, Nizamabad and Warangal in Telangana; Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu; Puducherry in Union Territory of Puducherry.
2. The examination will be held from 10.00 AM to 12.00 Noon in the Morning Session and from 02.00 PM to 04.00 PM in the Afternoon Session.
3. Southern Regional Office has already posted e-Admit Cards authorising the candidates to appear for the said examination in its Website , with facility to download it for candidates having examination on 30.04.2017 and 14.05.2017. These details are being intimated to the candidates by SMS to the phone numbers and e-mail to the mail IDs provided by the candidates while applying for the posts. For candidates having examination on 28.05.2017 and 04.06.2017, e-Admit cards will be posted in its Website from 08.05.2017 and 15.05.2017 respectively.
4. Candidates are requested to note that they shall not be permitted to take up the examination without e-Admit Card and Original Identity Proof. All the candidates are, therefore, requested to download their e-Admit Card without fail. For further queries/clarifications, candidates may contact Southern Regional office helpline numbers: Landline - 044-28251139 & Mobile: 9445195946.
5. This Press Note is issued for information and benefit of the candidates.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Department of Justice generates ₹89,500 in revenue by the sale of disposed office scrap, during the cleanliness drive
Department of Justice has generated ₹89,500 in revenue by the sale of disposed office scrap, during the cleanliness drive conducted under the aegis of DARPG’s Swachhta Pakhwada campaign.
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses India Carpet Expo at Varanasi, via Video Conference
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today, addressed via video conference, the India Carpet Expo at Varanasi.
Welcoming guests from India and abroad, the Prime Minister noted that this is the first time that the India Carpet Expo is being organized at the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul, in Varanasi. He mentioned Varanasi, Bhadohi and Mirzapur as important centres of the carpet industry. He spoke of efforts being made to encourage handicrafts, small and medium industries.
The Prime Minister said that India has a long tradition of handicrafts, and Varanasi has played a key role in this regard. In this context, he mentioned the great saint poet, Kabir, who also belonged to the same region.
He said handicrafts have been a source of inspiration, in the freedom struggle, and for self-reliance. In this context, the Prime Minister mentioned Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha, and the Charkha.
The Prime Minister said that India is today the biggest producer of carpets, and has about 35 percent of the global marketshare. He spoke of the impressive export performance of this sector. He said the rising middle class, and the support provided to the carpet industry are two key factors behind the growth in this sector. He appreciated the skills of the carpet makers, which have made the “Made in India carpet” a big brand. He spoke of the logistic support being provided to carpet exporters, and the creation of world class laboratories to ensure quality. He also spoke of other facilitation measures, including modern looms and credit facilities being made available to the sector.
The Prime Minister asserted that the Union Government is committed to ensuring that the skill and hard work of the carpet makers, becomes one of the strengths of the nation.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, the time limit for submission of Life Certificate  by the Central Government Pensioners extended up to 31st December, 2021
Says, measure taken due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and keeping in view the vulnerability of elderly population to Coronavirus
Pension will continue to be paid by the Pension Disbursing Authorities  uninterrupted during this extended period: Dr Jitendra Singh
In yet another reform to enhance ease of living for elder citizens,Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Government has decided to extend the time limit up to 31st December, 2021 for submission of Life Certificate  by the Central Government Pensioners in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and vulnerability of the elderly population to Coronavirus. Earlier, a pensioner was required to submit the Life Certificate till 30th November for uninterrupted disbursement of his or her pension.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that Pensioners can submit a Life Certificate through any of the modes including in physical form or digitally using an online system for submission of Life Certificate during the extended period. Pension will continue to be paid by the Pension Disbursing Authorities  uninterrupted during this extended period.
The Minister said that Pension Disbursing Banks have been advised to continue to maintain COVID-19 appropriate behaviour while obtaining Life Certificates and to ensure proper arrangements and social distancing measures at the bank branches to prevent overcrowding.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always sought "ease of living" for all sections of society including the retirees and pensioners who are the nation's assets with all their experience and long years of service rendered by them.
It may be recalled that last week only Dr Jitendra Singh launched unique Face Recognition Technology for Pensioners. The Minister said that the Face Recognition Technique of giving Life Certificate is a historic and far reaching reform, since it will touch the lives of not only 68 lakh Central Government Pensioners but also Crores of Pensioners who fall outside the jurisdiction of this Department such as EPFO, State Government Pensioners etc.
<><><><><>
SNC/RR
(
Ministry of Defence
Press Release: Validation and Closing Ceremony
Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise Kazind - 2019
The fourth edition of joint Indo-Kazakhstan military exercise KAZIND-2019 concluded today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise included joint training in mountainous as well as jungle terrain. Important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations were rehearsed and executed jointly.
As part of validation exercise held on 15 October 2019, troops of both the armies carried out specialised joint counter terrorist operations including cordon and search operations which was witnessed by dignitaries of both the armies. The validation exercise was reviewed by Maj Gen Kabindra Singh, General Officer Commanding Uttar Bharat Area of the Indian Army in presence of senior Army officers of both the participating countries. The Kazakhstan side was represented by Maj Gen Daulat Ospanav, Chief of Staff of armed forces of Kazakhstan. The exercise concluded on 15 October 2019 with a ceremonial closing ceremony, which included a grand cultural show presented by both the countries.
Exercise KAZIND-2019 was very successful in increasing the bonhomie and camaraderie amongst both the participating nations. The troops shared best practices being followed by both nations in counter terrorism operations in mountainous and jungle terrain and the exercise provided an opportunity to both the armies for greater understanding and strengthening mutual trust and cooperation.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
(Visitor Counter : 413
Vice President's Secretariat
Take a pledge to preserve & promote mother tongue: Vice President
Teach students the stories of great freedom fighters;
Campaigns such as educating the Girl Child must become people’s movements;
Addresses Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Kesari Schools
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has called upon to people to take a pledge to preserve and promote their mother tongue. Stressing that there was a need to strengthen the campaign for preserving mother tongue, he urged upon State governments to make mother tongue mandatory up to primary school level.
Expressing his keen interest in protecting native languages, the Vice President advised students to speak in their mother tongue at home.
Shri Naidu while addressing the gathering at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Kesari Schools, in Chennai today, he advised educational institutions to cultivate the quest for innovation and spirit of scientific thinking in children. He also laid foundation stone for construction of a new campus of Kesari School.
In order to make students become responsible citizenry, the Vice President tasked schools to create an atmosphere of joyful learning and revamp curriculum to teach students the stories of great freedom fighters and inculcate Indian values.
Observing that the 21st century world and the economic progress of a nation were increasingly becoming knowledge dependent, he insisted on training the changing aspects of technology right from the school level so that they adapt to the changing scenario.
Opining that being just literate should not be the aim of education, the Vice President said that real education must allow an individual to seek the truth, knowledge and develop logical thinking and a bent to understand and be sensitive to the needs of others.
Pointing out that education must help in transforming the lives of the poor, suppressed, and unreached and the marginalized sections of society, the Vice President opined that education was the most potent way to address challenges such as poverty, gender inequality, unemployment, discrimination, caste, and economic disparities.
Opining that women who constitute 50% of the population must be given equal opportunities, the Vice President said that educating the girl child and educating women was essential to India’s growth. He called upon people to make campaigns such as Educating the Girl Child must become peoples movements.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Banwarilal Purohit, the Sankaracharya of Kanchi, Jagadguru Vijayendra Saraswathi, the Chairman, KENCES Group of Companies, Shri K. Narsa Reddy, the Headmaster of Kesari Higher Secondary School, Shri N. Gopalaiah, the Grandson of late Dr. K.N. Kesari, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan and several other dignitaries were present at the venue.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
New Road Projects in Tamil Nadu
The Minister of State for Road Transport and Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that in the Financial Year 2017-18, 66 National Highway projects costing around Rs 12400 Cr were sanctioned for Tamil Nadu. Along the east coast of the state between Chennai and Kanyakumari, 3 projects of length 150 Km, costing Rs. 5470 Crore were awarded for construction, and 4 projects of length 610 Km were awarded for Detailed Project Report  preparation .